Guard rail for beds



Feb. 3, 1959 s. A. BALoNlcK 2,871,490

GUARD RAIL FOR BEDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Filed Jan. 18, 1957 1m. lili Feb.3, 1959 s. A. BALoNlcK 2,871,490

GUARD RAIL. FOR BEDS l Filed Jan. 1a, 1957 v z-sheets-sneet 2 UnitedStates Patent O GUARD RAIL FOR BEDS Samuel A. Balonick, Los Angeles,Calif., assigner to Superior Sleeprite Corporation, a corporation ofIllinois Application January 18, 1957, Serial No. 634,859

9 Claims. (Cl. 5-331) ends, and one latch must be manually releasedbefore the other latch can be released. The releasable latch ispreferably positioned adjacent the foot board of the bed, where it issafely out of reach of the patient. The latch means at each end of thebed is positive in its operation, and both latches cooperate to hold theguard rail securely against accidental displacement.

The structure by means of which the above and other advantages areattained will be described in detail in the following specification,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferredillustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bed provided with a guard railembodying the invention, showing the guard rail in lowered position indotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the guard rail in the process ofbeing lowered;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the means forattaching the guard rail to the bed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the guard rail latchedin its upper position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 5-5of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of latch at head end of thebed when opposite end of guard rail is down just before the release ofthe latch shown; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the latch at the headend of the bed just before it is latched in its upper position.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Figs. l and 2, the referencenumeral 2 indicates a bed having posts 3 at each side of its head boardand foot board. Identical structure at opposite ends of the bed will beindicated by the same reference numerals. The bed is conventional exceptfor plates 4 (Fig. 3) that are welded to each bed ost 3.

p Each plate 4 is preferably welded to the side of each post which facesthe corresponding post at the opposite end of the bed, but may be weldedto any side of the post. Each plate 4 is provided with two verticallyspaced studs, 5' and 6, which project outwardly from the exposed face ofthe plate 4. Stud 6 is threaded to receive a nut 7.

A hollow tube 8 or 8 is secured to each plate 4 by means of a pair ofarms 9 and 10 each of which is preferably positioned adjacent the footboard of the bed,l

and tubes 8 are preferably positioned adjacent the head board, but thisarrangement may be reversed.

The arms 9 and 10 are preferably tangential to the tubes 8 and 8. Arm 9has a notch 11 extending upwardly from its lower edge so that it may bedropped over the stud 5. The end of stud 5 may be enlarged to preventaccidental displacement of arm 9 from the stud. The free end of arm 10is notched longitudinally, as. indicated at 12, and the tube 8 or 8' isswung pivotally about the stud 5 to cause notch 12 to straddle lstud 6.A nut 7 is then threaded on stud 6 to hold the tube 8 or 8' in verticalposition parallel to post 4.

A longitudinally extending slot 13 extends through the wall of each tube8 and 8. The slot 13 faces the opposite end of the bed, and the slot ineach tube 8 is aligned with the slot 13 in the tube 8 at the oppositeend of the same side of the bed. The slot may extend the full length ofthe tube, but preferably stops short of each end, as shown in Fig. 4. Acap 14 closes each end of each tube 8 and 8. The cap 14 may be removablysecured to each end of tube 8 or 8', but preferably is rigidly securedthereto, as by welding, after certain latch structure is positionedwithin the tube, as hereinafter described.

The guard rail 15 may be of any desired shape, but is shown ascomprising a tubular bar 16 bent into substantially rectangular shape, apair of intermediate longitudinal tublar bars 17, and a plurality ofintermediate tubular vertical bars 18. Although tubular bars arepreferred, it will be obvious that the guard rail may be made of flatstrips, if desired. The guard rail has a pair of parallel at plates 19and 20 (Fig. 5) extending outwardly from the foot end thereof. Plate 19has an aperture 21 extending therethrough, and plate 20 has a threadedaperture 22 in registration with aperture 21. Preferably aperture 2l isslightly larger than aperture 22.

A tubular sleeve 23 slidably mounted in tube 8 has a fiat plate 24rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, as, for example, bywelding. Plate 24 extends from sleeve 23 and projects through slot 13.The plate 24 fits between plates 19 and 20 and is provided with a slot25 aligned with apertures 21 and 22. A stud 26 extending throughaperture 2l and slot 25 is threaded into aperture 22 to hold plates 19and 20 in proper relationship with plate 24 to permit a sliding pivotalmovement therebetween. A coiled compression spring 27 is positioned inthe bottom of each tube 8 to cushion the stop of tubular sleeve 23 whenit moves downwardly to its lowerniost position.

A trigger 27 constitutes a latch means for one end of the guard rail.The trigger normally prevents downward movement of sleeve 23. A's shownin Fig.y 4, the: trigger is pivotally mounted in tube 8 by means of apin 28 extending transversely of the tube and fixed thereto in anysuitable manner. A lug 29 dependingfrom the trigger has a pointed hook30 separated from the body of the trigger by a notch 31 andl projectingthrough an aper ture 32 in sleeve 23. The upper edge of hook 30 engagesa thin strip 33, offset inwardly at the top of sleeve 23u with which itis integral, to prevent `downward movement of sleeve 23 and plate 24.The strip 33 is offset inwardly to permit hook 3G to pass beyond theouter edge of the:Y

strip when it engages the inner surface of tube 8.

Preferably the upper edge portion of tube 8 is notched longitudinally,as indicated at 34, and trigger27 is pro, v

vided with a rearwardly extending finger 35 which projects through notch34. The upper edge' portion 'of sleeve 23 is slotted longitudinally, asindicated at 36, to. provide clearance space for the hook 30 toclear-.strip- 33 when lifting pressure is applied to ngerr35. Upward,v

movement'ofiirrger 35swings hook 30 rearwardly, and as vsoon as hook 30clears the inner edge of strip 33, gravity causes the tube 23 and plate24 to move downwardly.

t Asplate24 moves downwardly, stud '26 causes the end of guard rail '15Vadjacent thefoot board to move pivotally downwardly, 'the Vstud 26movingtoward the left endof slot 25 as thed'ownward'movement of plate 24increases the `distance between it and a similar plate 24 projectingthrough the-slot'13in tube 8.

` VEach tube 8" has a tubular sleeve 23' slidably mounted therein. Aiiatplate 24 welded to sleeve 23', or rigidly secured thereto in any`other suitable manner, projects from? the sleeve through'slot'l andvlits between plates 19 and120.` YThe'plateZd is provided'with a widehorizontal recess 37 into which a4 slide St'lits. Slide 38 is providedwith a longitudinal`slot'39 which yregisters with apertures 21 an'd22.-Stud'26 extends'through aperture 2l and slot39-and isfthreaded intoaperture 22.

`AOne end of v'sl-ide 38 extends through a slot 40 in "sleeve 23 andinto tube 8'. A pin 4l Yextending transversely through tube 8 is fixedthereto just above the upper edge of slide l38. The slide is providedwith a notch 42 in itsl upper edge. The side of the notch closest to theadjacent-end of the bed slopes downwardly to form a camming surfacewhich engages pin 41, positioned directly -above said surface,v when theleft end (as viewed in Fignt) of'the guard rail islifted, to move theslide 3S longitudinally towards the left. The latching means for the.end of the guard rail adjacent the head board comprises the slide `38and a lip 43 which is pressed out of the tube 8.

The rear end of slide 38 rests upon lip 43 when the guard rail is in itsuppermostl or latched position. When the guard rail is in said latchedposition the slide 3S canuotbe moved longitudinally away from lip 43because there is not suiiicient clearance at the opposite end lof thebed-'to-move the guard rail towards the right far enough forsuchdisengagement. The upper portion of sleeve 23' is cut away at its rear,as indicated at 44, to provide clearance for pin 41 so that the sleeve23 can be lifted far enough to cause the pin 41 to engage the cammingsurfaceof notch 42.

.in describing the operation of the guard rail, the foot end ofthe bedwill be considered as the right or forward end for convenience, and thehead end will be considered `as the `left or rear end. When the rightend of guard rail 15 :has moved downwardly far enough to cause the stud26 to abut thevrear end of slot 25, continued downward .movement ofplate 24 pulls the guard rail 15 forwardly. Stud 26 is moved forwardlyuntil it abuts the forward end of slot 39, and it then pulls slide 38forwardly until. .the rear-end of the slide moves oli stop 43. Sleeve 23then slides downwardly in tube 8 and carries the rear end of guard rail15 with it. The lower edge of sleeve 23 engages spring 27 to cushion thestop of the sleeve at its lower limit of movement.

When .the guard rail is lifted, the strip 33 of sleeve 23 engages hook30 to move it to the right about pivot 28 and allow strip 33 `to passthe hook. The strip 33 then strikes the portion of trigger 27 separatedfrom hook 30 by notch 31, and moves it upwardly to bring the hook 30intothe aperture 32. The latching at the head end is slightly vdifferentsince the slide 38 is forced towards the foot end of the bed as it islifted over lip 43. The lifting movement of the guard rail causes thenotch l2 to strike 5 pin 41 whichvwill force slide 38 longitudinallyback over the lip 43 where it will be retained until the Ifoot board end`of the guard rail is lowered.

While I have'described a preferred embodiment of my invention inconsiderable detail, it will be understood thatthe description isintended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many detailsmay be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope ofmyV invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to'ftheexact details of constructiondescribed.

"I claim:

1. ln combination with a-,guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured toeach end of a bed, a member slidably mounted in each of said tubes, saidguard rail having its oppo-site ends connected to said members, separatelatch means connected to each'ofisaid tubes7 one of said latch meanscomprising a trigger engageable with one of said members to holditagainst sliding movement in one of said tubes, said trigger beingmovable pivotally for disengagement from said one member to allow theadjacent and of said guard rail to move downwardly, said other latchmeans including a projectionin said second tube, and a slide seated onsaid` projection, said slide being connected to the other end `of saidguard rail and movable therewith to unseat said slide from saidprojection ani' ereby release the second end of said guard rail, rsaidprojection being dimensioned to `prevent unseating of said slide when,said guard rail is in horizontal position, whereby said second latchmeans is Ieleasable only when said first mentioned latch means is inreleased position.

2. In combination with a guard rail forbeds, a hollow tube secured toeach end of a bed, a member slidably mounted in -each of said tubes,said guard rail having its opposite ends connected to said members,separate latch means connected to each of said tubes, one of said latchmeans comprising a trigger engageable with one of said said'tubes, saidtrigger being movable pivotally for disengagement Vfrom said one memberto allow the adjacent end of saidguard rail to move downwardly, saidother latch means including aprojection in saidsecond tube, and a slideseated on saidl projection, said slide being connected to the other.endof said guard rail and movable relative to said projection as saidone end of the guard rail moves downwardly, saidprojection beingdimcnsioned to prevent disengagement from said slide until said one endof the guardrail reaches a .predetermined point in its downwardmovement, said second mentioned latch means being releasableautomatically when said one end of the guard rail reachessaidpredeterminedpoint in its downward movement. i i

1l. in combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured toeach end. ofa bed, a member slidably mounted in each of said tubes, said-guard rail having its opposite` ends connected to said members,releasable latch means in one of said tubes engageable with one of saidmembers for holdingone end of said kguard rail in its uppermostposition, a projection' in said other tube, and a slide connected to theother end of said guard rail,

said slide being adapted to seat on said projection to hold the secondend of said `guard rail' in its uppermost position,v said one end of theguard rail being adapted to move downwardly upon release of said latchmeans from engagement with said /irst mentioned member, said slide beingmovable with said one end of the guard rail relative to said projectionas said one end of the guard rail moves downwardly and disengageablefrom said projection automatically to allow said second end of the guardrailV to move downwardly when said one end of the guard rail reaches apredetermined .point in its downward movement.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 including cam means to vmove saidslide into seating position on said projection when said last loweredend-of said guard rail is lifted to its `uppermost position. y

5. A deviceas -setforth in` claim' 3 including a pin securedfto saidsecond mentioned tube above said slide, and a notch in the upper edge-ofsaidv'slide, said notch having an inclined camming surface engageablewith-said pin to set lsaid slide on said yprojection when said lastlowered end-of theguardrail is liftedV to its :uppermost position.

6. ln combination withaA guard rail for bedsfa hollow tubevksecuredatoffeac-,h endpof ,aq-bed, 1a sleeve ;slidably mountedfin.each of 'said tubes, means ,interconnecting the ends of said guard railwith each of said sleeves,

separate latch means engageable with said sleeves, one of said latchmeans being releasable, said other latch means comprising a projectionextending into one of said tubes and a slide seated on said projectionwhen the adjacent end of said guard rail is in its uppermost position,said slide being movable relative to said projection to unseat the slideand thereby release said second mentioned latch to permit downwardmovement of the adjacent end of said guard rail, said projection andslide being dimensioned to prevent unseating movement of said slide whensaid first mentioned latch means is engaged with its sleeve.

7. In combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured toeach end of a bed, a sleeve slidably mounted in each of said tubes,means interconnecting the ends of said guard rail with each of saidsleeves, a trigger mounted in one of said tubes, said trigger beingengageable with the sleeve in said one tube and being operable torelease one end of said guard rail, and latch means engageable with theopposite end of said guard rail, said latch means comprising a slideengageable with the sleeve in said other tube and a projection adaptedto hold said slide in engagement with said last mentioned sleeve, saidprojection and slide being dimensioned to prevent disengagement of saidslide from said projection to release the last mentioned end of saidguard rail when the rst mentioned end 0f said guard rail is in positionto permit said trigger to engage the sleeve in said first mentionedtube.

8. In combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured toeach end of a bed, a sleeve slidably vmounted in each of said tubes,means interconnecting the ends of said guard rail with each of saidsleeves, a trigger pivotally mounted in one of said tubes, said triggerbeing engageable with the sleeve in said one tube to hold one end ofsaid guard rail in its uppermost position, a linger projecting from saidtrigger through one wall of said one tube, said iinger being operable todisengage said trigger from said first mentioned sleeve to release saidone end of said guard rail from its uppermost position, and latch meansengageable with the sleeve in the hollow tube adjacent the other end ofsaid guard rail to hold said last mentioned end of the guard rail in itsuppermost position, said latch means comprising a projection and a slideseated on said projection, said slide being movable to unseat it fromprojection when said first mentioned end of the guard rail is in apredetermined position, said projection and `slide being dimensioned toprevent movement of said slide to unseat it from said projection whenguard rail is in horizontal position.

9. ln combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured toeach end of a bed, a sleeve slidably mounted in each of said tubes,means interconnecting the ends of said guard rail With each of saidsleeves, a trigger mounted in one of said tubes, said trigger beingengageable with the sleeve in said one tube and being operable torelease one end of said guard rail, a slide operatively connected to theother end of said guard rail, and a lip projecting from the sleeve insaid other tube, said slide being engageable with said lip to hold saidlast mentioned end of said guard rail in its upper most position, saidslide and lip being so dimensioned that said slide is disengageable fromsaid lip only when said first mentioned end of the guard rail is out ofits uppermost position.

Showalter July 28, 1936 Travis Aug. 2, 1949

